Hugo Nicholson was a commercial artist and painter. Professionally, he was an advertising manager for the Dahlstrom Corp. in Jamestown, New York for 23 years, later becoming publisher of the Chautauqua Daily at the Chautauqua Institute and was also responsible for all institution publications. He was a graduate of Syracuse University, and was later a member of First Lutheran Church of Jamestown where he was confirmed and served as an usher. Nicholson was also a member of the Board of Directors and chairman of the publicity for the American Association of Retired Persons.